SOME TUBULAR FLOWERS 31 



The Gilia is found throughout the State, but it 

 varies in size, in color, in arrangement. Some are 

 the tiniest of blossoms, regular fairy nosegays in 

 pink, white, lilac, salmon-hue, and they grow so 

 low and so thick that they form a beauteous carpet 

 for Mother Earth. Others grow taller, with more 

 showy flowers. The Scarlet Gilia of the Sierras, 

 sometimes called the Scarlet Fuchsia, is very hand- 

 some and also very interesting in its growth. It 

 covers its leaves and stems with a sticky substance 

 so that little crawling bugs have learned to keep 

 away from it. It hangs out its scarlet tubes loosely 

 so that they wave on each stirring breath of air and 

 beacon to the winged butterfly or the humming- 

 bird. These can send their tongues down the flower 

 tube and feast; but, in doing so, they will get some 

 pollen on their heads to be carried to a neighboring 

 Gilia. The Scarlet Gilia is not afraid of the first 

 cold snaps in Autumn, but just colors her leaves red 

 and reddish brown, as if she thought warmth lay in 

 color, and goes on sending out new flowers at the 

 ends of her many little branches. Her seeds, formed 

 in the cooling days, are very hardy. When scattered 

 on even rocky slopes, they lie under the snow all 

 winter, and in summer hasten on with the work of 

 their species. No seed seems to be wasted, for in a 

 few summers a whole hillside becomes glorious with 

 their coloration. 



